How to grow: daffodils

For optimists it is the snowdrop that best heralds spring and for realists the primrose, but for most of us nothing marks the change in season as categorically as the daffodil.

Our native Narcissus pseudonarcissus is only 9in tall, stocky and strong. The flowers emerge from a papery spathe, gently turning downwards to protect pollen and to shelter obliging insects in their deep yellow trumpets. The outer perianth is pale soft yellow.

These are Wordsworth's host, the Lent lily. Not so long ago the dancing flowers could be seen in woodlands and on river banks up and down the country, but many of its former homes have disappeared, subsumed by development and drainage. To add insult to injury, unthinking people helped themselves, as with the snowdrop, and colonies dwindled or were destroyed.

Happily conservation is higher on the agenda now and where it has been left undisturbed Narcissus pseudonarcissus increases well. Most often it grows in grass, which provides the perfect foil for its flowers and hides their demise at the end of the season.

Related Articles

Narcissi are best grown in grass in the garden too, the more unmanicured and meadowy the better - bulbs need to be left undisturbed to reabsorb all the goodness from their foliage. Drifts of N. pseudonarcissus planted close to trees look good. In a meadow setting they can be put alongside other bulbs, such as Fritillaria meleagris and camassia, and with a variety of perennials.

They will set and distribute seed. The Lent lily is ideal in orchards, too, planted in groups among the tree roots and straying into the surrounding area. Its near relation, the clear yellow Tenby daffodil, Narcissus obvallaris , suits the same informal treatment.

Soft milky colouring like lemon mousse makes N. 'WP Milner' one of the most outstanding of the small narcissi. Although a cultivar, it has the grace and simplicity of a wild daffodil. It was first listed by the Covent Garden nurseryman Peter Barr in his catalogue of 1884 so has stood the test of time. It prefers damp soil and needs deep planting to prevent its bulbs splitting up and becoming unproductive.

There are several diminutive wild trumpet daffodils perfectly suited to growing through very short grass or even moss. The smallest, at 3-4in, tall is N. asturiensis , which sometimes starts to flower in February. N. minor, with pale perianth and yellow trumpet, is only slightly taller. N. pumilus is taller again, standing a full 6in with dainty flowers of brilliant yellow.

How to grow

On thin dry soils work in a top dressing of good humus-rich compost around the stems after flowering because trumpet narcissi prefer damp heavy ground. This can still be done where they are growing in grass, where it will also benefit.

Use a small sharp trowel if planting in a bank or hedgerow. In grass, a bulb planter works better because it takes out the plugs of earth easily. Remove the divot and take off the top inch or two of soil complete with grass roots. Put this back upside down in the bottom of the new hole, push the bulb in firmly and give it a generous helping of planting mixture, preferably loamy potting soil with extra bone-meal. Replace the leftover original soil.

Vary distances between the bulbs to ensure a random, natural look - planting in a solid circles around trees undermines the simple beauty of the flowers. This is an efficient way to plant or replant all narcissi, creating big drifts in a short time.

Good companions

Trumpet daffodils fit in wonderfully around the edges of informal urban gardens, under hedges, fences and walls and in rural hedgerows. They are perfectly happy in beds and borders, left to their own devices among herbaceous early-risers such as bold aquilegia or verdant hemerocallis. Hybrids should be dead-headed but species can be left to set and distribute seed.

Blue-flowered pulmonaria are perfect companions for the smaller narcissi and the lungwort's mature leaves hide a multitude of sins. Both prefer heavy soil. Pulmonaria 'Ocupol' or P. officinalis 'Blue Mist' make a quiet harmony with Narcissus pseudonarcissus. Or, for something more invigorating, try P. 'Blue Ensign' with the clear yellow blooms of Narcissus 'Little Gem' . Meanwhile, Narcissus 'WP Milner' looks even paler and more interesting alongside the large beetroot-red leaves of Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' or B. 'Ballawley' .

Where to buy

British Wildflowers, Marked Ash Cottage, Rushbury, Church Stretton, Shropshire SY6 7EL (01584 841539). Stock is all cultivated from native British plants. Mail order available - taking orders now for next season's spring-flowering bulbs.

Avon Bulbs, Burnt House Farm, Mid Lambrook, South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HE (01460 242177; www.avonbulbs.com). Will send its new catalogue and take orders from the end of May for next season's spring-flowering bulbs. Send four 2nd-class stamps.

Reader offer

Gardening readers can buy 50 of either Narcissus pseudonarcissus 'Lobularis', N. obvallaris or N. 'WP Milner' for £12.95 each from the Telegraph Garden Service. Alternatively buy all three packs (150 narcissi) for £25.90 and save £12.95. The Telegraph Garden Service can only accept payment by credit/debit card as the bulbs will not be available until August 2004 - you will only be charged on dispatch. Call 0161 848 1106 with your card details and quote ref TL530.

Offer ends September 20, 2004 and is subject to availability. We regret we are unable to dispatch our goods to the Channel Islands or Southern Ireland.